Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating communications between a managing server and a client device. The managing server may be an ACS operable to configure a CPE to received connection request from an external server, which thereby brokers initiation of a communication session between the CPE and the ACS. The external server also preferably determines what type of connection request to use and provides configuration parameters to the ACS.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing CPE devices. In managing a CPE, an ACS must first establish a communication session with the CPE. In accordance with the present invention, the connection request formed by the ACS and containing proxy information is transmitted to a primary blast box. The primary blast box, which includes a blast box registry, forwards the connection request to a plurality of secondary blast boxes, each secondary blast box being associated with a respective CGN private network of the communications network. The secondary blast boxes in turn removes the proxy information and forwards the connection request to one or more CPEs in the private network encompassed by the corresponding CGN. Authentication information sent with the proxy information uniquely permits authentication of the connection request in the target CPE. When authentication occurs, the CPE initiates a communication session with the ACS so that the desired management function may be executed.